Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

February 3, 2014

Janssen has issued positive results of a
phase II study of siltuximab for the treatment
of Multicentric Castleman’s Disease
(MCD) in subjects who are HIV-negative and
human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8)-negative. The
multi-national, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study involved 79 subjects
randomized 2:1 to receive either siltuximab
plus best supportive care (BSC) or placebo plus
BSC until protocol-defined treatment failure,
after which patients taking the placebo could
cross over to un-blinded siltuximab. Half of
the patients on placebo (13 out of 26) crossed
over to siltuximab. The study found more
than one-third of patients in the siltuximab
arm had a durable tumor and symptomatic
response to treatment, compared to none of
the patients who received placebo plus BSC
(34% v. 0%). In looking at the response rate to
treat MCD-related symptoms, 25% of patients
who received siltuximab plus BSC had durable
complete symptom resolution, defined as
100% reduction of baseline overall symptom
scores for at least 18 weeks, compared to none
of the patients who received placebo plus BSC.
These data supported the recent regulatory
filings of siltuximab in the U.S. and E.U.

May 21, 2012

Seattle Genetics reported interim results from a phase II trial of Adcetris for the treatment of relapsed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The study enrolled 17 patients with mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome who had previously received other therapies. The primary endpoint of the trial is clinical response rate. Twelve of 16 evaluable patients (75%) achieved a partial remission. In addition, median CD30 expression on lymphoid cells in biopsies of skin lesions was 15%. At week 25, 68% of patients maintained response, although a median duration of response had not yet been reached. The most common adverse events thus far are peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, decreased appetite and generalized skin eruption. There was one patient death due to respiratory failure presumably secondary to pneumonia. Seattle Genetics will continue the phase II study.

January 5, 2004

Genmab reported positive interim results from two phase II trials investigating HuMax-CD4 for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Results showed 55% of the early stage and 38% of the advanced stage subjects achieved at least a partial response, using the Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) scale. The PGA is a comparison of baseline conditions that grades all cancerous lesions from 0 to 6. Data showed that 9% of the early stage and 23% of the advanced stage patients achieved a minor response. In addition, pruritus was improved in 82% of early stage patients and 69% of advanced stage patients. The study enrolled 11 early stage and 13 advanced stage subjects with CTCL.

Introgen reported data from a phase I clinical trial indicating that INGN 241, an MDA-7 gene therapeutic, was well tolerated and was clinically active in subjects with solid tumors. Results showed that the MDA-7 protein was detectable 4 cm away from the injection site. Intratumoral injection of INGN 241 produced protein both in local and diffusible forms. This observation was correlated with apoptosis at the external edge of the tumor that was injected. Results were reported at the 12th Annual International Conference on Gene Therapy of Cancer in San Diego. INGN 241 is currently in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors.

Millennium Pharmaceuticals announced positive preliminary results from a phase I/II, investigator-initiated trial with Velcade (bortezomib) in combination with thalidomide with dexamethasone for the treatment of advanced stage multiple myeloma. Of the 56 subjects who are currently enrolled in the trial, 96% received prior autotransplant and 81% received prior thalidomide. Investigators reported that responses were observed in subjects who had previously received thalidomide treatment, and more than 20% of subjects achieved a complete or near complete response. Adverse events included gastrointestinal events, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy and hematologic toxicities. Results were reported at the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego.

February 18, 2003

Abbott Laboratories reported negative preliminary results from a phase III trial investigating atrasentan (ABT-627), an endothelin-blocking protein for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Results showed that the study did not meet its primary endpoint, time-to-disease progression. The endpoint was defined as the need for pain medication, chemotherapy, radiation, and the progression of cancer in bone. The study showed subject dropout rates that were similar to placebo and were lower than in previous studies. Data showed a statistically significant improvement in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels compared to placebo (175 ng/ml vs. 257 ng/ml) and improvements in skeletal progression markers. The double blind, placebo-controlled, multinational study enrolled 810 subjects and was designed to examine the effects of atrasentan in men with advanced metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. The company will continue the development of atrasentan in non-metastatic prostate cancer and other cancers.

Transgene reported positive results from two phase I trials investigating their gene therapy products, Adeno Interferon gamma (Ad-IFNg) and Adeno Interleukin-2 (Ad-IL2) for the treatment of various cancers. Both products showed positive results in gene transfer efficiency and cytokine expression. The results also showed positive clinical responses in tumor regression and stabilizations in cutaneous lymphoma subjects treated with Ad-IFNg. The Ad-IFNg trial enrolled 20 subjects with metastatic melanoma or other advanced solid tumors. The Ad-IL2 trial enrolled nine subjects with primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and multilesional cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. Treatments were well tolerated in both studies with only mild injection site reactions reported.

This information does not represent a Lupus Research Institute endorsement of any listed study. It is merely a notice that the study is available. If you are presently under the care of a physician for lupus or other conditions, you should not disrupt your current program without discussing it with your doctor(s). Do not contact the Lupus Research Institute for information on these studies. Only contact the listed numbers. The Lupus Research Institute does not have any jurisdiction over or further involvement with these studies, other than to make people aware that they are being conducted.